THE PROPER SHOW started just before dusk with the fantastic Bobby Cash, what a showman, pulling out requests and just having a laugh on stage, he played songs from his new album ‘State of my Heart’ and even some Neil Diamond. Usually, I would not enjoy such a cover filled set but he is such a (what is the word?) consummate performer, he just kept the whole audience mesmerised for a good one and a half hours. His guitar style, part Feliciano part Hank Williams is fascinating to watch, and as Will commented, he makes you want to get out those old tune a day guitar books and start again with all the right hand fingers. His tangy baritone and classical guitar sounded crisp and clear throughout the set. If only everyone was this easy to mix. And, he is so cool and affable, posed for photos with everyone who asked, signed autographs and hung around to watch the other acts with his very beautiful family. Some of his fans were a bit weird, but that is what happens with fame, you cannot choose who loves you.

 

The Prithvi went up next, a difficult act to follow, but they did well, it was perhaps the biggest contrast we had all weekend, but it seemed to work. Arjun obviously had a lot of fans in the audience, calling his name and shouting requests throughout the set which he very proficiently shredded and screamed (no offence meant, sir, nothing wrong with either of those activities) his way through. I noticed some Guns ‘n’ Roses and a Megadeth in there, but the majority of what he played was new to me, I do not know whether it was covers or not. I like his voice, powerful although surprisingly quiet up close.

 

I hope this writing does not sound too dry, I am just trying to put down everything as far as I know it, but like I say I did not really move from behind the desk except for a few hours of sleep, TV interviews, defecation and urination. Which was when things started to scream.

 

I think, I did one of the interviews that evening, maybe the NDTV one, the channel V one was very long as it is part of a documentary they are making about me. It was quite funny, with the producer trying to get it fun and snappy, whereas my life is not all that jolly, death, accidents, fire, a nervous breakdown and complete bankruptcy. I wonder how they will edit it all together to make it youth TV friendly. Nice people in both crews actually, I spoke to the interviewers the most. I will probably be edited into looking like a twat.

 

The Cassini’s Division, absolutely brilliant, and absolutely note perfect, again so easy to mix, Rahul’s voice is clear and his microphone technique perfect, the songs are amazing, there is not much I can say without sounding like a gibbering fan, but they are simply fantastic. They traveled all the way from Kolkata, no complaints about the sound, accommodation or food, and gave us possibly the tightest and most energy filled set of the whole weekend. Stand out song for me was Voivoid. The tune sticks in your head for days, can’t wait for their album to be finished. They are the bright stars of the future

 

The night turned into a bit of a jam after that with various Nomads mixing with random other elements and colliding to create some moments of absolute beauty and a bit of chaos, the party was still in full swing well into the night and that Penelope lady did some nice repetitive singing over some tabla and bass at some point, I went a little mad then fell asleep. The first day was pretty good.